Elements of Nuclear Physics

ML.ANS664

Classes: 15h

Laboratories: 15h

Lecture: 30h

Preparation for exams: 15h

Consultations: 5h

1

1. To acquaint the student with the microscopic structure of matter.

2. Presentation of the structure and properties of atomic nuclei and basic nuclear models.

3. Presentation of the properties of nuclear forces.

4. To acquaint the student with particle detection and acceleration methods.

5. To acquaint students with the fundamentals of radioactivity.

6. To acquaint the student with nuclear reactions, in particular with the process of fission and fusion.

LECTURE & CLASSES

1--- Structure of matter, elementary particles. Fundamental interactions. Typical length and energy

2---Structure of atomic nucleus. Sizes and masses. Nuclear chart. Range of stability of atomic nuclei.

3---Binding energy of a nucleus.Separation energies. Valley of stability.Decay channels. Magic numbers.

4---Excitation modes of atomic nuclei.Total and differential cross section.

5---Properties of nuclear interaction. Deuteron properties.

6---Nuclear models: liquid drop model, independent particle model (shell model), collective models.

7--- Accelerators, detectors, interaction of particles with medium.

8--- Radioactivity. Law of radioactive decay. Nuclear transmutation. Decay chains.

9--- Decay channels: alpha, beta, gamma, fission.

10--- Nuclear reactions. Models of nuclear reactions.

11--- Spontaneous and induced fission. Chain reaction.

12--- Neutron physics. Interaction of neutrons with matter.

13--- Thermonuclear synthesis. Synthesis of light elements in stars, supernova explosion, r-process.

14--- Thermonuclear synthesis on Earth: methods and problems.

15---Challenges for contemporary nuclear physics. Recent experiments.

LABORATORIES (5 meetings, 15h in total)

1. The organizational meeting - 1h

2. Gamma spectroscopy and neutron activation analysis - 4h

3. Dosimetry of ionizing radiation - 4h

4. Compton scattering, - 3h

5. Absorption of alpha radiation - 3h

1. J-l. Basdevant, J. Rich, M. Spiro, Fundamentals in Nuclear Physics. From Nuclear Structure to Cosmology, Springer [e-book] (I strongly recommend this one )

2. B. Povh, K. Rith, C. Scholz, F. Zetsche, Particles and Nuclei. An Introduction to the Physical Concepts, Springer

3. N. Takigawa , K. Washiyama, Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics, Springer [e-book]

4. Y. Jana, An introduction to nuclear physics, New Delhi: Alpha Science International Ltd [e-book]

OTHER

5. W.N. Cottingham, D.A. Greenwood, An introduction to Nuclear Physics, Cambridge Univ. Press

6. K. Heyde, Basic Ideas and Concepts in Nuclear Physics, Inst. Of Phys. Publ.

7. Yung-Kuo Lim, Problems and Solutions on Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics , World Scientific

1) Completion of laboratory exercises requires passing all

four labs and passing two tests.

2) The final grade is determined according to the formula: 1/3 * K1 + 1/3 * K2 + 1/3 L.

where K1, K2 are grades from tests (letures & classes)

and L is the total grade from laboratories.

Schedule for tests:

-- K1: meeting #8

-- K2: meeting #15

Tests contains of 9 questions. Grade is assign according rule:

[number of correct answers]⇒[grade]

9⇒5.0, 8⇒4.5, 7⇒4.0, 6⇒3.5, 5⇒3.0, 4 and less⇒fail.

The test contains both theory question (lecture) and algebraic problems (classes).

Grading of the laboratory part includes:

a) Four short tests (T) at the beginning of each lab. meeting. A test

covers the topic of a given exercise and is graded from 0 to 2 points.

b) Evaluation of student work (W) during each exercise (from 0 to 3

points for each meeting)

c) Report (R) on the "Gamma spectroscopy and neutron activation

analysis" lab results, graded from 0 to 5 points.

The final result of the laboratory part is then calculated as

(T1+T2+T3+T4 + W1+W2+W3+W4 + R)/5

105000 - Wydział Fizyki

105000 - Wydział Fizyki